SHANGHAI, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai SIPG beat Kashima Antlers 2-1 at home by Hulk's brace in the second leg, but failed to reach the quarter finals of the AFC Champion League with total score 3-4 on aggregate (first leg 1-3).
"We tried everything. Athough it's not good result, I'm satisfied with the team." said Shanghai's coach Vitor Pereira after the match, "I think we played a good match, we played a good second half, and in the first half we scored, but after that we were not so focused. If we could score earlier in the second half, we may level the total score, but we didn't do it. We have to lift our heads and look forward to the domestic league and cup. It's football, we cannot win every time."
"I'm a little disappointed as we lost the match, but I'm satisfied that we go through to the last eight," said Antlers coach Oiwa Go, "Shanghai pressed us tightly, they played well. We kept defending throuth the last ten minutes. I sent on one player to give the message that we could defend the score to the final whistle and we did it. My players showed great mental strength in the game."
Shanghai skipper Hulk, who missed the first leg due to injury, led the starting lineup of the home side and made a nice shot inside the box to bring hope to the host on 6 mintues. The Brazilian striker took use of a clumsy error of an opponent defender after Oscar's cross from the right with an accurate half-volley from close range.
"I must thank my medical team, they did great job to help Hulk to recover to play the second leg," said the Portuguese coach. Hulk echoed his words by saying that the injury he got during the league game against Beijing Guoan usually need four weeks to recover, "But with the help of the medical team, I only take 12 days to play this game."
However, the visiting side gradually controlled the rhythm after the goal and created several good chances. Tall striker Mu Kanazaki wasted two opportunities in the 30th and 36th minutes, when his header went wide of the post before another small angle shot slipped off the far post. After left midfielder Yuma Suzuki's threatening drive in the penalty area, Antlers levelled the score on 42 minutes from forward Doi Shoma's nice back-heel shot following koki Anzai's low cross from the left side.
The guests could have taken the lead before the halftime whistle, only to find Endo Yasushi's well-curved shot parried by a focused keeper Yan Junling.
The hosts improved after the interval with head coach Vitor Pereira bring on Yu Hai and striker Li Shenglong to replace Cai Huikang and Wang Shenchao. Yu's cross earned a penalty in the 79th mintue and Hulk converted to make it 2-1.
Hulk missed a gold chance in the 57th minute. The hitman received an unselfish pass from Oscar, who rounded two defenders in a counter-attack, but his unmarked sharp shot from close distance inside the box was denied by an unbelievable save from the lone keeper Kwoun Suntae.
The draw of the quarter finals of the ACL will be held on May 23, with the first legs to play from Aug. 27 or 29 and the second leg from Sept. 17 to 19. ACL debutants Tianjin Quanjian of China, Kashima Antlers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings will be pooled together in the east Asia part, while Iran's Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC, Qatar's Al Sadd and Al Duhail will represent the west Asia pool. According to the rules, an east Asian club can meet a west Asian side only in the final of the AFC Champions League.
